2021 - Best Nursing Schools in Louisiana

Overview of Nursing Schools in Louisiana

About Nursing Schools in Louisiana

The Louisiana Center for Nursing reported that the state currently has 48,300 registered nurses. Even though most of the nurses work in hospitals, employment in hospitals is seeing a decline. Louisiana nurses can seek employment in physician’s offices as well as positions in long-term care. In Louisiana, a majority of nurses are over the age of 50 and will be retiring in the near future. Over time, there will be a strong demand for more nurses to fill the void. It is because of this that more qualified applicants are being accepted into both ADN and BSN degree programs.

In our Louisiana RN program guide, find rankings for both ADN and BSN Degree programs, tuition costs, NCLEX passing rates, and more. Research key Louisiana RN Program information to help you compare program metrics and to apply to best RN program for your career in nursing.

In the State of Louisiana, nurses are helping to change the face of healthcare. To ensure that they have the best education and preparation for future health care challenges, registered nurses need to graduate from a state-approved associate's degree in nursing program or a BSN degree program.

Nurses who graduate from an RN program can obtain certification in over 100 nursing specialties, go on to earn an RN to BSN or RN to MSN degree.

BSN degree holders have options to earn an Advance Practice Register Nursing (APRN) degree and become a Nurse Practitioner (NP), or earn an advanced degree for a career in any number of nursing leadership roles such Nurse Educator or Clinical Nurse Specialist.

Louisiana RN Program Comparisons: ADN vs BSN

Best Ranked RN Programs in Louisiana

To help nursing students in their search for a top RN program, the education experts at RNCareers.org publish their annual findings of the best nursing schools for both Louisiana and the country. Schools ranked on our list have proven their ability to educate highly competent nurses.

To create our rankings, we evaluated 12 ADN degree programs and 13 BSN degree programs in Louisiana. We obtained each institution’s first-time NCLEX-RN passing rates, the number of students taking the test, the program nursing accreditation and more. We then compared the results against other nursing programs in Louisiana to provide our state rankings. View our methodology. 

Best Nursing Schools (BSN) in Louisiana

Best Nursing Schools (ADN) in Louisiana

Additional Listings for Louisiana Nursing Schools

Become an Advance Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) in Louisiana

RNs who wish to become advanced practice registered nurses will want to pursue any number of avenues to earn Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree. Earning a Master of Science in Nursing consists of graduate-level coursework and clinical practice for those nurses who wish to direct patient roles such as a nurse practitioner. You can also pursue indirect patient roles such as teaching or leadership roles, or become involved in policy, state-wide health initiatives or community engagement. There are many clinical and non-clinical avenues that an RN with MSN can pursue.

Become a Nurse Practitioner (NP) in Louisiana

Learn how to become a Nurse Practitioner (NP) and research schools in Louisiana offering the following high paying nurse practitioner specialties:

• Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
• Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
• Family Nurse Practitioner
• Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
• Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
• Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
• Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
• Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner

Learn about Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Degree.

Louisiana  RN Licensing Requirements

Louisiana State Board of Nursing
17373 Perkins Road
Baton Rouge, LA 70810
Phone: (225) 755-7500

Website: http://www.lsbn.state.la.us/

Fees:
Initial licensing fee, RN: $142.50
License renewal, RN: $80-$105 depending on date or renewal

Continuing Education Requirements:
RNs: Five, 10, or 15 contact hours every year, based on employment

RN Licensure by Exam

Prior to graduation, nurses should begin the steps towards licensure. The candidate will apply to the board and register to Pearson VUE, which is the company that administers the NCLEX exam. The exam can be scheduled after the candidate receives the authorization to test (ATT). The Louisiana State Board of Nurses may grant candidates a temporary permit when they registered with Pearson. In the case the candidates fail an examination the permit will become no longer valid. If clinical work was completed in Louisiana, fingerprints will not be required. The only online program for initial licensure that is accepted is Excelsior College. This requires a $100 application fee and $42.50 fingerprinting fee as well as the $200 NCLEX exam. Candidates who do not pass the NCLEX will be required to complete a retake request along with a $100 money order.

RN Licensure by Endorsement

Nurses who have obtained licensure in one of the other 50 states may obtain licensure in Louisiana by endorsement. There is a $142.50 application fee for the endorsement if the application is sent in by mail. The fee will increase to $152.50 if the application is brought in and fingerprints are done on site. Candidates who wish to work under a temporary permit will have to pay $192.50 for mailed in applications and $202.50 for applications turned in on site. In case of a disaster or emergency, out-of-state nurses may be granted a disaster permit to work as a volunteer or paid employee.

RN License for Nurses Educated Abroad

International registered nurses are required to take the CGFNS qualifying exam unless the NCLEX has already been passed. Candidates may also be required to take the TOEFL to prove English competency.

RN Salaries in Louisiana

Nurses in Louisiana earn a median annual salary of almost $62,000. The salary increases with education and experience. Nurses who have obtained a bachelors degree or higher are likely to be more experiences with:

• Administration and leadership positions
• Researching statistical data
• Positions dealing with ethics
• Writing and implementing policy

An RN to BSN degree program can be completed in about 12 months. This is dependent on the program the nurse chooses. The programs are designed to meet the need of busy nurses to help encourage more baccalaureate prepared nurses.

Louisiana Registered Nursing Salaries

The New Orleans metropolitan area has the largest amount of registered nurses employed than any other area in Louisiana. It should not come as a surprise then that the same area has the highest hourly mean wage and annual median wage.
Source: BLS, Department of Education, State Board of Nursing, Nursing School Websites.